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Mirror Maths
Mirror Maths
Look in a mirror - your reflection is the same distance BEHIND the mirror as you are in front. Mathematical reflections work exactly the same way. Each point moves to a position the same distance on the OTHER side of the mirror line, moving perpendicular to it.
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Exam Tips
X Just saying "reflection"
Always state the mirror line equation
e.g., "Reflection in the line y = x"
X Confusing x = a and y = a
x = a is VERTICAL, y = a is HORIZONTAL
Think: x-axis is horizontal but x = number is vertical!
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 13
A point P has coordinates (3, 5). It is reflected in the x-axis. What are the coordinates of its image P'?
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This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on transformations: reflections, with a full worked answer.